SEVILLA'S traditional April Fair, or Feria de Abril has kicked off with 236,000 lights switched on at midnight on Monday and a massive structure at the entrance designed to mirror the water kiosks of bygone centuries.
Curiously, this year's April Fair falls in May, which could in fact mean more visitors than ever due to the better weather – temperatures forecast range from 30ºC to 34ºC - and potential influx of tourists.
Over 1,400 carts pulled by gaily-decorated horses will parade along the streets accompanied by fiesta-goers in traditional costume, with plenty of red and black polka-dot dresses, and plenty of demonstrations of Rumba and Sevillanas dancing will be seen throughout the fair.
Drinks typical of the area are set to flow in abundance, including fino sherry from nearby Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz) and rebujito, made with fizzy lemonade and camomile wine.
Manufacturers of these traditional beverages expect to sell about 1.5 million bottles of their wares before the festival ends on May 11 – two bottles for every inhabitant in the city.
'Copycat' versions of Sevilla's famous April Fair have been held over the last weekend in other parts of the country much farther away – for example in Gandia (Valencia), a seven-hour drive north-east of the marmalade orange capital.
